Two years ago my goal was to finish in 2 hours or less. I ran a strong, confident race but I literally fell down – splat flat nearly, face-planted – at mile 10. I’m sure it was a graceful fall (kidding). Thankfully I wasn’t seriously hurt (just scrapes on my hands and knees) and after picking myself up off the ground and checking out my cuts and deciding I was fine, I forged ahead. I crossed that finish line that day in 2:00:32, missing my goal by less than a minute. I was happy with my performance knowing that if I weren’t such a KLUTZ I would have definitely accomplished my time goal (several months later I set a half marathon PR of 1:55:47).
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| me and Abby after the 2009 VA Beach Rock n’ Roll Half |
This year I’m running the race again – it is time for R E D E M P T I O N! I plan to set not only a course PR but also believe I can set a new half marathon PR. I know I can do it. Once again I’m training for MCM and this race fits in great with my training plan. Lately I find that I’m really focused on this half marathon, almost looking to it more than the full marathon which comes two months later. This morning I did my first timed mile at the track in 6:39. That time along with my recent 5Ks and other fitness indicators all predict a huge PR for me in both the half and full marathons.
I want it.
McMillan says I should be able to do the half in 1:46:29. If I can do this, I think I will feel SO. VERY. READY to kick the marathon in the boo-tay with a 3:45. This makes me incredibly excited and also gives me the jitters, but mostly it makes me excited.
What do you think about McMillan? Have you found the paces and race time predictions to be pretty good indicators or guides for you when setting your goals and determining what paces you should do your runs at? Please share!
